Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Adkins.
Hi Dana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in southern West Virginia, my childhood was filled with love and complications. My brother and I were raised by our dad, who never missed a game or school event. We had dinner with my grandparents every Sunday and weren’t allowed to hang out with friends on school nights. My dad, who only finished 8th grade, made education our top priority. Still, like many families in Appalachia during the 1990’s, mine was deeply affected by addiction and harsh economic realities. Ultimately, I lost both my dad and brother to the opioid crisis.
In high school, I earned a reputation as the science nerd. I’ve always loved analyzing problems and presenting solutions. Competing in international science fairs gave me confidence that my voice and my ideas belonged in bigger rooms. When I left home for college, I didn’t have the financial resources to begin at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as planned, so I started at a community college. I worked full-time as a waitress to support myself and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from UNCW.
After graduating, I joined a major pharmaceutical company. On paper, it looked like a success story but in reality, it was the moment my moral compass fully asserted itself. I realized I didn’t want a career serving corporations and found my way into law school. There I thrived and embraced the opportunity to make the world a little bit better.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road? No. I wouldn’t even say it’s been a road, more like an unchartered path through the wilderness. My childhood was paradoxical. On the one hand, life was ordinary. I was always the teacher’s pet and excelled in school. I went to my grandparent’s house after school every day and played outside with all the kids on our street. Behind the scenes, my dad was desperate to give us more. He believed that if we looked and fit the part of being successful, someday we would be. Each year, he alternated between growing marijuana and smuggling hash oil from Jamaica. As a result, I grew up fast and stepped into the role of the adult in our family by the time I was about twelve.
During my senior year of high school, my dad was arrested. He spent the next year rebuilding his life, which he did successfully. Meanwhile, I ran away to college, escaping the perils of rural WV to build something better like my dad had always encouraged me to do. College was hard. I struggled academically while working long hours to support myself, but I didn’t quit. I remember studying for an organic chemistry exam by candlelight after choosing between paying my electric bill and taking time off work to prepare for finals.
The period between college and law school was defined by the loss of my brother. He never truly escaped the grip of WV or the weight of our childhood. Losing him nearly broke me. But, with the help of my dad, I found my footing and eventually found my way to law school.
We’ve been impressed with Dana Adkins Attorney at Law, LLC a/k/a Palmetto State Injury Lawyers, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For the last 15 years, I’ve owned and operated my own law firm. I focus exclusively on representing individuals and families after serious injuries caused by car wrecks, unsafe premises, and dangerous products. I’ve chosen to keep my practice intentionally small so I can be personally involved in every case. When someone hires my firm, they work directly with me, and every client has my personal cell phone number.
I’m known for being thorough, straightforward, and relentlessly prepared, but what really sets me apart is how personally I approach my work. I care deeply about protecting my clients and making sure their stories are told clearly, passionately, and honestly. I don’t measure success by the number of cases I handle, but by the care and attention I give to each one. I am most proud of the difference this works makes in the lives of my clients, their families, and the community.
What’s next?
My goal is to keep learning and growing as a trial lawyer so I can better serve my clients. I measure progress by becoming more effective with each case I take on. Most importantly, I’m committed to staying true to the values that brought me here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.palmettostateinjurylawyers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaadkinsesq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palmettostateinjurylawyers
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaadkins/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@palmettostateinjurylawyers
